The Oltrepò deserves, today more than ever, a rediscovery after many years of prejudices and questionable management of an area that has always had the makings of a great terroir. Not only large numbers but also a lot of quality, history and passion of winemakers who love their land and try to make a denomination that is too often forgotten or scorned great again.
And if we talk about men who love their roots, we cannot fail to tell about Paolo Percivalle, a true winemaker from Borgo Priolo, in the territory of Casteggio, one of the most beautiful areas of the Oltrepò. The winery is located in the center of a natural amphitheater with vineyards that rise along the nearby hills with truly remarkable slopes. Winemakers for three generations, Paolo's family has been cultivating these lands since 1915 with passion, dedication and deep attachment to their land. The choice of the organic method therefore goes in this direction, as a choice of life and as a production style that sees nature and man as protagonist. This synergy is based on respect for the environment and sustainability at every stage of the process, from the vineyard to the bottle.
In its 11 hectares, Paolo cultivates vines with great care and attention, only manure for fertilization, use of pesticides reduced to a minimum, while chemical weeding is totally banned. Each phase is managed in full and convinced compliance with the organic disciplinary. In the vineyards the undisputed protagonists are Pinot Noir and Croatina.
To keep him company we find Chardonnay, Merlot and Barbera. Paolo has always believed strongly in the Oltrepò sparkling wine vocation and among its labels, all very valid and deeply territorial, its bubbles have a place of honor. To underline the production style of Paolo, based on a great cleanliness, a safe technique and the convinced use of selected yeasts.
Cuvée 270 is an unusual Pinot Noir-based sparkling wine that ages on the lees for just nine months; Paolo is one of the few to make it. It's a truly well-crafted sparkling wine, fresh, flavorful, and crisp, with an acidity that lends itself perfectly to any pairing or even as a pleasant glass between meals, perhaps in the warmer months with friends. It's a bottle you'll finish without even realizing it!
The Pinot Noir Brut is the 270's big brother, still pure Pinot Noir but aged for 24 months on the lees. It represents the winery's flagship, a traditional and classic expression that perfectly represents the terroir. With a fine and elegant nose, its lean body and lovely acidity make it a perfect match for local cured meats and cheeses.
The Pinot Noir Dosaggio Zero ages for 36 months on its lees. It is the most austere and sharpest of Paolo's Pinot Noirs, a sparkling wine of remarkable finesse, energy, and agility. On the nose, fragrant notes of bread baking are complemented by elegant mineral notes of wildflowers and white fruit. The Chardonnay-based Blanc de Blanc Brut , on the other hand, is an outsider, a sparkling wine capable of surprising and astonishing with its creaminess and pastry notes, making it a genuine and authentic expression of this great white wine from the Oltrepò region.
Equally interesting and high-quality is the production of highly distinctive red wines. One example is the Quattrodicimarzo , a young Pinot Noir vinified exclusively in stainless steel, which impresses with its easy drinking and full-bodied palate, a wine that reflects the producer's authenticity and sincerity. Equally noteworthy are the Bonarda Amanti and the Merlot Settembre, both reliable labels that reflect a clean, unpretentious winemaking style. Finally, worth mentioning is the Casteggio, a long-aging red made from 60% Barbera and 40% Croatina. Aged for 12 months in barrique, it demonstrates how Oltrepò can produce highly structured wines while showcasing the indigenous grape varieties. The result is a red of remarkable substance, with a full and captivating nose in which the oak supports and enhances pleasant notes of berries, spices, and leather, while on the palate, the freshness of the Barbera pairs beautifully with the full-bodied Croatina. A perfect match for game!
You May Also Like ..
